Ripping attachment for sewing-machines



' W. A. ALRICH. RIPPING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES.

PatentedJuly-IV, 1883.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. ALRIOH, OF OHATHAM, VIRGINIA.

RIPPI NG ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,330, dated July I7,1883.

' Application filed May 9, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. ALRICH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chatham, in the county of Pittsylvania and State ofVirginia, have invented a new and useful Ripping Attachment forSewing-Machines, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to ripping attachments for sewing-machines; andit consists of certain improvements in the construction of the same,which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed outin the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a perspective view, showingmy improved ripping attachment attached to a sewing-ma chine in positionfor operation. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of theripping attachment; and Fig. 3 is a detail view of the knife or cutterand its casing detached.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

A in the drawings represents the frame of my improved rippingattachment, which consists of a horizontal rod, B, mounted upon suitablelegs, 0 O, and having an arm or bracket, D, extending horizontally on alevel with the feet, and provided with a slot, E, to receive aset-screw, F, by which the device may be clamped or secured in positionfor operation.

F and G are collars, which are longitudinally adjustable upon theframe-rod B by means of set-screws H H. The collar F has anupwardly-extending arm,-I, carrying at its upper end the cutter-casingJ, which consists of a suitably-constructed nearly circular case, havingat its front end a slot, K, through which a part of the cutter mayextend, and having on its inner side a laterally-projecting tubularbearing, L, for the operating-shaftM. The collar G has anupwardly-projecting arm,

N, the upper end of. which forms the bearing for the other end of theoperatingshaft.

The operating-shaft M consists of two parts or sections, 0 and P. Thesection ,0, which is tubular, is journaled in the bearing in the arm N,and is provided with a fixed frictionwheel, Q, the rim of which. may beequipped with a rubber band. The section B slides in the section 0,which is provided with a setscrew, R, for retaining it in any positionto which it may be adjusted, and it is j ournaled in the tubular bearingextending from the casing J, and carries the knife or cutter S, whichconsists of a circular sharp-edged disk of steel accommodated within thecasing J and projecting through the slot K of the latter.

The operation of this invention will be readily understood from theforegoing description, taken in connection with the drawings heretoannexed. The device is secured to the sewing-machine table by theset-screw F in such a position that the friction-wheel upon theoperating-shaft shall come in contact with and be operated by thebalance-wheel of the machine. By lengthening or shortening theoperating-shaft and adjusting the collar F upon the frame-rod, thecutting mechanism may be moved to the right or left to any position thatmay be convenient for the operator.

By operating the treadle the revolving cutter will now be rapidlyoperated, so as to rip or out any material held against the part of itwhich projects through the slot K.

This device is useful and convenient for ripping old garments, cuttingdress-patterns, and for a variety of purposes that will readily suggestthemselves.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States-- 1. In a ripping'attachment for sewing-machines, thecombination of a horizontal framerod, two collars adjustable upon thesame and provided with upwardly-extending arms, an extensible shaftjournaled at the upper ends of said arms, and a rotary cutter and africtionwheel secured to the ends of the said shaft, substantially asset forth.

2. In a ripping attachment for sewing-machines, the horizontal frame-rodmounted upon suitable feet, and having an arm or bracket extendinghorizontally on a level with the feet, and provided with a slot toreceive a fastening-screw, in combination with collars adj ustable uponsaid framerod, and having arms that form bearings for an extensibleshaft, carrying a friction-wh eel and rotary cutter, as

set forth.

3. The combination, with the frame-rod, of an adjustable collar havingat its upper end a hood or casing provided with a laterally-projectingtubular bearing, a shaft journaled in the said bearing and carrying acircular sharpedged knife or cutter, and the operating mechanism,substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the horizontal fra1nerod, means for securing thesame to a sewingmachine table in position for operation, a collaradjustable upon said rod, and having an upright arm carrying the cutterhood or casing at its upper end, said casing being pro vided with alaterally-extending tubular bearing, a shaft j ournaled in said bearingand having a circular sharp-edged knife revolving WILLIAM AUGUSTUSALRIOH.

\Vitnesscs:

L. SoRUGGs, J. H. SHEPHERD.

